Wales captain Ashley Williams admits he has given little thought to reaching 50 caps with picking up Euro 2016 qualifying points in Israel the only thing on his mind.
The 30-year-old central defender reaches the half-century landmark after making his debut in a 2-0 win in Luxembourg in 2008 and both he and Wales have a come a long way in the last seven years.
Williams, who failed to make the grade at West Brom as a youngster before drifting into non-league football, was playing for Stockport in League Two at the time and Wales were building for the future as John Toshack blooded youngsters with little experience of the international stage.
Since then Williams has become an established Premier League defender at Swansea and Wales, now under the guidance of Chris Coleman, are dreaming of reaching the European Championship finals in France next year after making an unbeaten start to their qualifying campaign.
That run will be seriously tested against surprise Group B leaders Israel on Saturday but Williams insists Wales are ready for the challenge on a night when he reaches his own personal milestone.
"I am obviously aware it is my 50th (cap) but I will enjoy it after the game," Williams said.
"This is one of the biggest games for me, alongside my debut and getting the captaincy for the first time, but that is something for after the game.
"I've just been concentrating on the game and getting the job done.
"That's been my focus and motivation this week and the whole squad is relaxed because we have confidence in what we are doing."
Williams will come up against one of the form strikers in Euro 2016 qualifying at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa.
Omer Damari might play for unfashionable RB Leipzig in the second tier of the Bundesliga in Germany but, ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures, his five goals meant he shared the honour of being joint top-scorer in qualifying with England striker Danny Welbeck.
"They are clever and sharp players and they have got goals in this campaign," Williams said.
"I know my unit has to be tight and we will need to be resolute and stick to the task, but we are right up for it.
"We are expecting a hostile atmosphere but I would rather that than playing somewhere half-empty.
"There is nothing better when it is hostile because those are the nights you remember."
Wales' qualification hopes were buoyed by picking up a point away to group favourites Belgium in November.
It means they have eight points after four games, one shy of Israel who have won their three matches and play Belgium at home on Tuesday, and Williams admits Wales have to keep picking up points on the road.
"It will be difficult but we do need to get points away from home, it is not enough to win at home," Williams said.
"We have gone into every game looking for the win and this will be no different."
Source: PA
